“Dad!” Trey drew the word out on a long sigh. “I know. You’ve told me this a million times. I’m a Black man, and I have to remember that if I’m ever pulled over by the police, even though my dad is a cop.”
Trey recited the things Gavin had been drilling into him since he was a pre-teen, and Gavin nodded. He hated that it was even an issue, and Lord knew sometimes it was hard to admit he was associated with the police in any way. But the fact was, he loved his profession. Yes, the institution as a whole had its issues to overcome, but at its core, it was still a noble and necessary job, and he was proud of the career he’d built.
“All right, Trey. I’ll see you soon.”
“Okay. Cheeseburgers for dinner?”
Gavin laughed. The cheeseburgers were an inside joke between the two of them.
“Sure. Drive safe, kid.”
“I will.”
“I love you.”
“Love you too, Dad.”
Gavin set the cellphone aside.
“Is Trey all right?”
Her voice held a soft, dreamy quality, like she hadn’t fully awakened yet, and Gavin glanced up to see Gerri standing there in a t-shirt and panties, looking as tasty as the soup he was stirring.
“Yeah. He’s fine. He’s driving home from Columbus today. He’ll be staying with me for the rest of the summer.”
Gerri walked over to the island that separated her kitchen from the living room and sat on one of the stools, facing the kitchen.
“Are you cooking in my kitchen, Lieutenant?”
Gavin grinned at the amusement in her tone.
“Yes, I am, Detective. It doesn’t look like you’ve been eating much lately.”
“I haven’t exactly had an appetite.”
All amusement floated away, and so did Gerri. She got up and moved over to the couch, flinching at the brightness streaming in through the windows.
Gavin poured the soup into a bowl. Then he found a spoon and a small box of saltine crackers. He grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, and carried it all over to the couch.
“Here. You need to eat.”
She started to protest, but he wasn’t having it.
“Hey. I will tie you down and forcibly feed you if I have to.”
His tone told her that he wasn’t playing, and she carefully took the bowl. He put the water on the table and sat down beside her, watching as she blew over a spoonful and took a tentative bite. Then she took another spoonful, and another.
“Mmm. This is really good. You made this?”
She took another hearty spoonful, and Gavin was glad she was eating.
“Well, not completely. It’s just a can of soup I found in your cupboard. I added a few spices to it… some rosemary and thyme. A little seasoned salt. Some sliced mushrooms you had in the fridge.”
She smiled at him. “I had no idea you were such a gourmet chef.”
Gavin chuckled. “I opened a can of soup and doctored it up. Not a big deal.”
She dipped a cracker into the soup and took a bite, watching him as she chewed.
“You want to talk about the actual big deal? The one we’re trying so politely to avoid right now?”
Her eyes were bright as she asked the question. Her lips holding just the wisp of a smile, and Gavin wanted to kiss her. Instead, he sighed and looked at the table in front of them.
“What’s there to talk about? You were hurting and I gave you comfort.”
He looked back at her. Gerri took another bite and nodded, chewing slowly. Finally, she met his gaze.
“Is that all it was, Gavin? Just offering me comfort?”
“Look, Gerri… right now, you’re in a bad place, okay? You’re not making the best decisions. And me? I was irresponsible. I never should’ve let things go as far as they did. We’ve been all over the reasons why this…”
“…is such a bad idea.” She cut him off, throwing his words back at him. “Yeah. I remember the conversation.”
There was sadness in her voice, and turmoil in Gavin’s gut. He wanted her. He wanted her in ways he’d never wanted any other woman before. But he had to be sensible, didn’t he? He had to do the right thing.
What was the right thing?
“But see, the thing is,” Gerri continued, “when you held me earlier? When you kissed me and made love to me? That didn’t feel like a bad idea. It didn’t feel like a mistake, and it certainly didn’t feel like it was just comfort. It’s a whole lot more than that, and we both know it. Please stop trying to tell me it’s not. You are never going to convince me that you don’t want this every bit as much as I do. You’re lying to both of us, Gavin.”
He stared at her for a long moment, not trying to think up a rebuttal, not looking for a stronger argument. He just stared at her — at her beautiful face with the dark soulful eyes and the full kissable lips. God, she was sexy as sin.
“Okay. No more lies.”
He took the near empty bowl of soup from her hands and put it on the table. Then he pulled her into his arms and into a passionate kiss. He stood, lifting her easily, and carried her back into the bedroom.
The day dragged on for Isaac, and the wheels of justice went nowhere on their new case. But he and Pete were able to make an arrest on another case they’d been working on. He’d just finished up the paperwork on it and got up to take the report to Lieutenant Hayes’ office.
Near the door, someone slapped his left arm, causing him to flinch.
He spun to see Gavin Hayes breeze past him into the office.
“Got something for me, Sergeant?”
His tone was light, and Isaac noticed that his step was almost peppy. He frowned and glanced back toward the pit before looking
